UNODC Head of Office in Uganda Pays Courtesy Call On PS, Discusses Priority Support Areas for The Judiciary
(L-R): Ms. Sharon Lesa Nyambe, the head of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Uganda with the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Judiciary, Dr. Pius Bigirimana
Ms. Sharon Lesa Nyambe, the head of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Uganda on Wednesday paid a courtesy call on the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Judiciary, Dr. Pius Bigirimana, at the Judiciary Headquarters in Kampala.
Ms. Nyambe reaffirmed UNODC's commitment to working with the Judiciary. She noted that technical teams from both institutions had identified key areas for collaboration (priorities), and she sought guidance on refining them.
She noted that Uganda has already been informed about two major programmes, one of which focuses on strengthening humanitarian and criminal justice. She added that a new two-year partnership is set to be launched in collaboration with hosts in Vienna, Austria aiming at enhancing accountability and integrity in the criminal justice system.
She further noted that UNODC has been affected by the U.S. aid cuts and mentioned that plans were in place to introduce a new programme on cybercrime this year, following the passage of anew convention in December. However, the programme is currently on hold, though discussions are ongoing with partners to explore ways to secure support from criminal justice stakeholders.
Ms. Nyambe also informed Dr. Bigirimana that UNODC's Executive Director, Ms. Ghada Fathi Waly will visit East African countries of Uganda and Kenya in May or June. Additionally, Uganda, under the leadership of the Director of Public Prosecutions, has submitted a proposal to host a side event at the UN's criminal justice coalition in Vienna, focusing on integrating judicial case management into the criminal justice system.
Regarding capacity-building, she highlighted ongoing training needs assessments in collaboration with the Judicial Training Institute (JTI) on managing crimes and plans to train judicial officers. Other priorities include supporting hardware such as transcription equipment, refurbishing some courts and prisons, and facilitating specialized court sessions. She sought further guidance on other priority areas for UNODC's support.
Dr. Bigirimana thanked UNODC for the support. He mentioned a planned visit to Mozambique to study their training institute, focusing on curriculum and infrastructure. He emphasized that the goal is to gain insights into how to develop a state-of-the-art Judicial Training Institute that the Judiciary is planning to build in Nakasongola. He sought support from UNODC on this as one of the priority areas for the Judiciary.
Regarding refurbishing courts, the PS/SJ recommended prioritizing the refurbishment of remand homes, such as Naguru and Kampiringisa, for the inclusion of courtrooms. He highlighted the challenge judges face in hearing cases in facilities lacking proper courtrooms and proposed starting with a few remand homes, with plans to expand over time.
He also emphasized the need for better hardware, especially transcription equipment, as many courts still lack such technology. He commended the impact of video conferencing in speeding up trials, especially for prisoners. Additionally, he noted the importance of Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) support in the ongoing rollout of the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS), which requires computers, internet, and power. He requested assistance in funding the System's rollout for the first cluster of 18 courts. So far, it has been rolled out to only 8 courts out of the 18.
Another key area the PS/SJ emphasized was Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). He redefined ADR as the traditional African approach to dispute resolution, emphasizing mediation and reconciliation over litigation. He called for training and accreditation of mediators, judicial officers, and local council leaders in ADR, with tailored programs ranging from short to medium-term.
Despite challenges due to reduced U.S. aid, the PS/SJ called for creative solutions and better resource management.
He also stressed the importance of better coordination among justice sector actors to tackle challenges like delays in investigations and insufficient resources. While recognizing improvements in coordination, he called for increased effort, urging all stakeholders, such as the Uganda Police Force, CID, Uganda Prisons Service, and civil litigators to collaborate in addressing these challenges and strengthening the justice system.
Present was Mr. Opolot Simon Peter, Judiciary Head of Policy and Planning.
Posted 5th, March 2025
